Children and Family

Duke's family-friendly policies and Durham's kid friendly atmosphere make it a great place to start and raise a family. Don't believe us? Get a Second Opinion: Duke Named Among Top Family-Friendly Workplaces, Duke Today, August 23, 2011.

Spouses and Partners

Spouses or same sex spousal equivalents of graduate students and employees can get a Duke ID card which allows access to residence halls, academic buildings, recreational facilities, athletic events and parking gates. Spouses of undergraduate students are not eligible.

The Duke International House welcomes all relocating Spouses/Partners – both International and U.S., male or female – to their support network which includes a mailing list and events.

Pets

On campus housing does not allow pets except for fish. If you have pets you need to bring, be sure to find off campus housing that allows them. Dogs can be walked on a leash on campus. Durham does have some dogs parks available and there are many great hiking trails near by.

Community

Communities come in all shapes and sizes. Durham has many tightly knit local communities and provides a welcoming reception to people of many different backgrounds and orientations. Whatever your interests, there is a group with whom you can share your time.

Among top university cities and the Triangle region, Durham has a relatively low ACCRA composite cost of living index. In 2008, Durham came in at 93.5 which is lower than Atlanta (97.2), Boston (133.6), Chicago (112.5) and San Francisco (172.1). The composite cost of living considers prices for housing, groceries, health care, utilities, goods & service, and transportation combined.

Eat and Drink

The Triangle, and Durham specifically, have a fantastic number of interesting restaurants. Durham/Chapel Hill was named America’s Foodiest Small Town by Bon Appétit Magazine. The region has an abundance of restaurants specializing in short seasonal menus.

Long ago, tobacco and textile industries shaped Durham, but now the historic brick mills and repurposed factories form the backdrop of North Carolina’s re-energized Bull City. The flourishing downtown area features bakeries, pizzerias, tapas bars and food trucks in a cool mix of culture and food that is uniquely Durham.

Be sure to check out these Duke resources and groups. One dining choice with some great healthy vegetarian and vegan meals is the environmentally-friendly Divinity Cafe located in the Divinity School, between Duke Engineering and Duke Chapel.

Health and Wellness

Medical Insurance for Students

All students are required to maintain adequate medical health insurance during their enrollment at Duke University. Enrollment in the Duke Student Insurance Plan can be waived if your alternative plan meets specific criteria. If enrollment in the Duke Student Medical Insurance plan is not waived, enrollment in the Duke plan will be automatic. For all international students holding a F1 or J1 visa, the enrollment is mandatory.

Can I Waive Insurance? A Student might waive if:

The Claims administrator is based in the United States and has a U.S. telephone number and address for submission of claims.

The plan provides both emergency and non-emergency health care and mental health benefits in the Durham, NC area.

Out-of-state Medicaid and state Children’s Health Insurance Plans do not cover non-emergency care in Durham.

The plan has participating hospitals, physicians, pharmacies, and mental health providers in the Durham, NC area to include Duke Medicine.

The plan provides inpatient and outpatient mental health care (with at least 30 visits per year) and chemical dependency benefits are comparable to the coverage provided by the Duke SMIP.

Duke Student Health Center

If you are enrolled in a program that requires the payment of the student health fee, the student health center is a source for general medical care, basic nutrition counseling, immunizations, allergies, etc. Most services are covered by the student health fee. Check with them for details.

Living

Durham, NC, is a colorful, creative, and entrepreneurial community and the proud home of Research Triangle Park, Duke and North Carolina Central Universities. Durham is consistently ranked among the greatest places to live and work in the nation. There are lots of wonderful housing options available within walking or biking distance to campus. From brand new urban loft apartments, to historic homes, to eco-friendly cooperatives you should be able to find a space that meets your needs, budget and lifestyle.

Duke graduate students look for housing off campus in an apartment or home. Looking for a place to live in a new city can feel daunting. Here are some helpful tips:

If you want to avoid driving to and parking on campus, you should try to look for a place either within a couple miles of where you will be taking your classes, or find a place within walking distance to a Duke Bus stop or the free Bull City Connector. Both buses generally stop at least 4x an hour during school hours.

Try to talk to someone on campus about the area you are going to rent in before you sign a lease. To find someone to talk to, get in touch with the Administrative Assistant for the Department you will be associated with.

Sports and Culture

Whether you are in the mood to admire, applaud, or cheer, the Triangle offers a wide variety of outstanding opportunities.

From intense college basketball and football rivalries to the regions professional hockey team and minor league baseball team and iconic stadium, sports is a strong part of our culture.

But there are also Broadway productions at the Durham Performing Arts Center, professional ballet performances, orchestral and chamber productions, comedy clubs, and headliner singers at indoor and outdoor venues.

Transportation and Getting Around

Getting around Durham

Students who live on campus or near campus and don't need to leave often can get around Durham without a car. The Bull City Connector, a free bus, takes students between campus and downtown Durham. The Duke buses travel between east campus, west campus and UNC in Chapel Hill.

One helpful resource for students without cars is the WeCars available on west campus to anyone over 18. WeCar rentals available on an hourly and a daily basis. You need a membership to use them.

Most students living off campus will likely want a car to get around. While there is public transportation in Durham, most residents need the flexibility of a car. Lots of people bike on campus, but in general the roads in Durham have narrow shoulders and there aren't many paved biking or walking trails for commuters.

Parking at Duke

Parking on Duke's campus requires a permit. Many options are available in various locations and price ranges. Metered parking is available at multiple locations on campus. It is not safe to park on the street on campus as you may be ticketed.

Duke Safe Ride Van Services

Duke Safe Rides are available to all students, faculty and staff and provide safe rides to locations without bus service within the van service boundaries during times.

Getting to and from Duke and Durham

Duke University is located about 20mns from the RDU international airport. In general, you will need to grab a cab to Duke or find a ride to and from RDU, but during Fall Break, Spring Break, and Thanksgiving free shuttles from campus are available. There is also a Greyhound and Amtrak station nearby.